D3 WEEK: EC L.E.A.D. Program Prepares Our Student-Athletes For Life After Graduation

EC L.E.A.D. HISTORY | EC L.E.A.D. PAGE

BEVERLY, Mass. — Created in 2015, the EC L.E.A.D. program (Leaders of the Endicott Athletics Department) was conceptualized and later implemented in 2016 to foster a deeper understanding of what leadership means as an Endicott student-athlete and a member of the athletic department. 

Through a nearly yearlong process, Endicott administrators, coaches, and student-athletes formulated the definition of leadership for the athletics department.

That definition is as follows: 

"A process where an individual influences a community to achieve a common goal."

Everyone involved in the project also created four core standards of leadership throughout the yearlong process that would serve as the foundation for all administrators, coaches, and student-athletes to follow.

Those four core standards include:

Commitment

"Totally invest yourself socially, athletically, and academically to your team, department, and Endicott."

Character

"Be the best version of yourself to consistently do the right thing and own it when you don't."

Effective Communication

"Make honesty, active listening, and follow-through the highest priority when communicating and be open to new ideas."

Confidence

"Show mental and physical toughness and believe in yourself even in the face of adversity." 

In addition to the definition of leadership and four core standards, the leadership campaign parallels the College's mission of providing young men and women the best possible educational experience and one that challenges each student to be prepared for life after Endicott. 

Athletically, the athletics department will always seek to do the same while keeping its sights set for competition and ultimately, championships.

Endicott Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Dr. Brian Wylie expressed the importance of this ethos.

"This leadership definition and four core standards are tethered to everything that we strive for and expect from the athletic department across all areas," said Wylie.

BENEFITS OF THE EC L.E.A.D PROGRAM

Every month, senior leaders on their respective teams meet with coaches and administrators to discuss leadership strategies, navigate leadership scenarios, and learn from guest speakers who bring a wealth of knowledge from their specific areas on how to be effective leaders in the classroom, sport competition, and the Endicott Community. 

Endicott's emerging leaders and team captains also share their experiences in working groups to better their leadership skills and enhance the culture of their respective programs.

"L.E.A.D. is a tremendous tool for our student leaders and emerging leaders. Once a  month, we have an opportunity to work with our best student leaders, listen to their challenges, watch them collaborate and problem solve with each other, and grow as people. It is really remarkable," said Endicott Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Jodi Kenyon. "This program is beneficial not only to their unique teams and individual successes, but also to our success as an institution, coaches, and administrators included."

Endicott Associate Athletic Director/Admission Liaison Sean Quirk echoed Kenyon's thoughts.

"Our emerging leaders and captains gain an understanding of leadership and team dynamic culture skills that not only benefit themselves, but, most importantly, their respective teams, Endicott, and their futures in the game of life," said Quirk.

Meanwhile, Endicott women's basketball student-athlete Emily Pratt (Gardner, Mass.) and men's lacrosse student-athlete Will Clark (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) shared similar sentiments as Kenyon and Quirk.

"The L.E.A.D program has been a tremendous resource for me and the entire Endicott Community," said Pratt. "In the program, captains/leaders come together to reflect, learn from one another, and tackle team-related issues head-on. Through the program, I learned that leadership is less about me and what I want but more about my teammates and what I could do for them."

"The EC L.E.A.D. program taught our men's lacrosse team invaluable lessons about teamwork, communication, and leadership in a fast-moving environment," said Clark. "We have been able to learn the value of trusting your teammates to overcome adversity while finding weaknesses to attack in-game-like scenarios. This experience also allowed us to establish a cultural foundation and build towards shared success."

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